# Here are the top five free antivirus software for your Windows 10 PC or laptop | Laptops-pc News (HT Tech) > Your Windows 10 installation comes with Microsoft Defender built-in, but is it good enough? Let’s take a look at the top five free antivirus programs that you can use to protect your computer. # Here are the top five free antivirus software for your Windows 10 PC or laptop ## Your Windows 10 installation comes with Microsoft Defender built-in, but is it good enough? Let’s take a look at the top five free antivirus programs that you can use to protect your computer. Aug 21 2022, 16:33 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![You can download any of the following free antivirus tools today.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2021/04/13/1600x900/markus-spiske-FXFz-sW0uwo-unsplash_1618333394236_1618333407740.jpg) You can download any of the following free antivirus tools today. (Unsplash) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By HT TECH Windows 10 is still the most widely used consumer desktop operating system, making it a prime target for hackers and malware creators looking to profit off its many users. From adware, trojans, viruses, ransomware and a host of other dangerous and malicious content available on the web, it has become more important than ever before to keep your computer safe with a reliable security suite. Sure, your Windows 10 installation comes with Microsoft Defender built-in, but is it good enough? Let’s take a look at the top five free antivirus programs that you can use to protect your computer. 1. Avast Free Antivirus Also read click here. Avast is one of the most popular free antivirus programs available today, and more importantly, scores very high on tests from security testing labs. While performing a scan, the program also allows users to upload samples of any suspicious files detected to the cloud for deeper analysis- then updates all affected devices with a fix. Avast antivirus is the best free antivirus solution for your computer. (Avast) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2021/04/13/original/msedge_FPz9YbEDap_1618332671961.png) Avast antivirus is the best free antivirus solution for your computer. (Avast) The company also offers users the ability to monitor their networks for intruders and verify their system integrity and settings to make sure there are no weak points that malware can use to get in - such as weak passwords, badly configures settings and outdated software. You can download Avast’s free antivirus solution from this link. 2. AVG Antivirus Free Another household name in consumer desktop computer security, AVG’s antivirus security software features a capable scanner with good scores in independent labs testing, along with limited previews of their more premium products. The free version blocks both viruses and malware, but the paid versions offer a lot more. AVG is our second favourite pick. (AVG Antivirus) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) AVG is our second favourite pick. (AVG Antivirus) With AVG’s free tool, you can also attack malware that is difficult to remove, thanks to a boot-time scan feature that runs before the computer boots up. Since you can’t remove malware that runs while your computer is running, this tool will delete them before they can start along with your Windows 10 installation. All of the extra features are behind the paywall, though, which is worth keeping in mind. You can download the software here. 3. Kaspersky Security Cloud - Free While Kaspersky’s scanner is technically a cloud-based antivirus, the software has consistently scored well on third-party testing labs, with excellent detection rates. The company says that the free antivirus can adapt to what you’re doing and knows when to alert, when to warn and when to intervene to block threats. Kaspersky security cloud offers a cloud based scanning service. (Kaspersky) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Kaspersky security cloud offers a cloud based scanning service. (Kaspersky) While the company offers higher tiers of the service, it also offers a very limited version of the service for free users which includes real-time protection, but you can still access real-time alerts, limited VPN coverage and store up to 15 passwords in the company’s vault. You can learn more about the tool here. 4. Sophos Home Free Unlike many free antivirus tools, Sophos offers a lot of its premium services for free under the Sophos Free tool. Apart from high scores on third-party testing labs, the free version includes Predictive Artificial Intelligence Threat Detection, with deep learning capabilities. It also includes a realtime antivirus scanner. Sophos Home Free offers the most comprehensive free protection in terms of features. (Sophos) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Sophos Home Free offers the most comprehensive free protection in terms of features. (Sophos) In addition to local scanning for computer viruses, malware, Trojans, worms, bots, potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), and ransomware, the service also plus into the company’s SophosLabs blacklist database to block compromised or dangerous websites. You can also manage up to three Sophos desktop installations and unlimited mobile apps across PCs from a web interface. The software is available for free from the company's website. 5. Microsoft Defender Are you surprised to see Microsoft Defender on this list? While Windows 10’s built-in antimalware tool traditionally lagged behind the competition, the company’s software has gotten a lot better and is a lot faster in terms of performance and scores quite well on third-party testing labs charts. Microsoft Defender has gotten a lot better at protecting users than it used to be. (HT Tech) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Microsoft Defender has gotten a lot better at protecting users than it used to be. (HT Tech) The company’s SmartScreen filter can also block malicious downloads - if you’re using Microsoft Edge to browse the web - which incidentally runs on Google Chrome’s browser engine. However, if you use Firefox or Chrome, you won’t have the same protection from phishing sites, so you may want to consider one of the other tools on this list. Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel. 13 Apr, 22:36 IST antivirus microsoft defender ![HT Tech Awards](https://tech.hindustantimes.com/ht-tech-power-list-awards-2026/httech-awards-banner-new.webp) ### Related Stories 07 Oct 2026 06 Oct 2026 71,618,332,395,661 NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Tips & Tricks ![Ghibli-style art](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to turn your photos into Ghibli-style art with ChatGPT for free: Step-by-step guide ![How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide ![Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it ![Vodafone Idea OTT plans](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Vodafone Idea users can now stream 17 OTT apps with one subscription: Here's how ![Android data transfer methods](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to transfer data from one Android to another using Google backup, USB-C cable, and more ## Editor’s Pick ![iPhone 16e launched with A18 chip, Apple AI—bringing flagship power on a budget: Check specs, price](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 16e launched in India: All details about the new budget mobile from Apple ![DeepSeek was founded in China with only a fraction of the budget of the top AI companies in the US.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### DeepSeek AI: How it works, who’s behind it, how it’s different from ChatGPT, and its big US market impact explained ![iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on ![Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini ![iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update ## Trending Stories ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside keep up with tech ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ![Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-twitter.png) ![WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-whatsApp.png) ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ## Gaming ![Check out these five gaming monitors under ₹20,000,](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Top 5 gaming monitors under ₹20000 you should consider ![gaming consoles](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Grab gaming consoles at discounted rates during Amazon Great Indian Festival: Up to 72% off ![Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025 to bring Grimmsnarl family, Shiny Hatenna, and global challenges ![Shade Silver](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Shade Silver free on Steam for a limited time: Here’s how to get it ![Call of duty](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 skips Switch 2 at launch, release date and price leak ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Trending News ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ## Trending Gadgets Mobiles Laptops Tablets ![HT Tech](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HT_tech-new.gif) - https://tech.hindustantimes.com/laptops-pc/news/here-are-the-top-five-free-antivirus-software-for-your-windows-10-pc-or-laptop-71618332395661.html